Temperature for storing eggs

[Ldgreene9]

Im just wondering exactly what the temperature needs to be store eggs that are going to be used for incubation!?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Depends on how long they'll be stored.
About 70 is fine if just a few days. If they'll be stored a week or more about 45-50 is better.
The main thing is that the storage temperature shouldn't fluctuate. Ideally they should only go through 2 temperature changes. Once when the egg is laid and then the pre-incubation warm up.

 

[sonjab314]

And dont forget to turn them while they are being stored as well

 

[ChickenCanoe]

X2
You can put them in a turner, turn by hand 3 times a day or store them upside down (large end down) to keep the yolk centered.

 

[JJSS89]

Not to stir the pot but let me stir it anyway. I've done some pretty high numbers of hatching with and without turning stored eggs and have never seen a difference in numbers.

 

[JJSS89]

Anybody that has actually documented higher success when turning prior to incubation?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I haven't done it both ways to compare - just because I'm lazy. And for the same reason, sometimes I turn and sometimes I don't.
I just know that commercial operations turn eggs in storage so there must have been some research in that regard.

During storage without turning, the yolk tends to rise to the top extending one chalazae and contracting the other.

 

[JJSS89]

Yeah I figure there must be at least a marginal improvement that my non-commercial experience has not uncovered.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Right, when you're setting 40,000 eggs each week and you get a 1.03% improvement, that's money.